today, Lamb’ s goals include setting a high bar for her biggest cheerleaders: her granddaughters.“ I want to show them that no matter what age, you can have fun and compete in sports.”
Her message to them— and to anyone thinking of picking up a paddle— is one of longevity.“ Aging is inevitable, but your attitude can be managed. As long as you believe you can play pickleball, and with the luck not to get injured, you can play until you’ re 90!”
Athlete Profile: Becky Lamb Age 75 Home Training Facility
Career
Experience
Signature Move On-Court Values
Major Win
Fitness Routine
Larry Roberts
Steamboat Tennis and Pickleball Complex, Colorado
Insurance broker and nonprofit fundraiser
5 years in pickleball, 60 years in tennis( 4.5 level)
A strategic slice serve
“ Purpose, discipline, focus, and manners.”
Silver medal, Mixed Doubles( Worlds, Dallas)
CrossFit, Reformer Pilates, and stretching
For retired trial attorney Larry Roberts, the transition from the courtroom to the pickleball court started with a swing and a miss.“ After completely missing the ball three straight times, I quickly realized I was mentally holding a tennis racket,” he laughs.
A former University of Kentucky tennis standout and Hall of Fame athlete, Roberts spent 35 years playing tennis before a total knee replacement forced him to stop. Now at 82, he has found a second athletic life— and a national title— in pickleball.
Roberts has one goal:“ I want to be the best player in my age group in the United States.” It appears he is on his way. In 2023, he won singles gold at the U. S. Nationals in Dallas as well as mixed doubles in the 75 + age category. In 2024, he won gold in his age category for men’ s doubles at the US Open in Naples.
Recently, Roberts has challenged himself to compete in lower age categories.“ Scott [ Lee ] called me, asking if I would play doubles with him in the 60 + division. I told him he had no chance because‘ I’ m too old.’” But Roberts played, and the duo won.
While Roberts admits that younger players can be a challenge, he uses those matches to sharpen his skills.“ Playing at this level improves my abilities in the kitchen as well as the transition zone. It makes me a much better competitor.”
Roberts also maintains a strict health routine.“ My biggest concern at my age is getting hurt. I exercise daily, but I am careful not to overdo weights or stretch bands. I’ ll regularly do 80 sit-ups and 40 push-ups three times a day.”
Teaching has also become a passion.“ I was someone who once looked at old tennis players as geezers. But I was so privileged to learn from those old men. They taught me how to compete, how to fight through injury, and how to win and lose with grace and humility. My younger students, I’ m sure, are a mirror image of me 70 years ago, so I constantly play with them to pay forward all those precious hours of mentoring.”
Mostly, Roberts is grateful.“ Pickleball has provided the opportunity for me to continue believing I can have a healthy, longer life playing at the highest national level.” •
Athlete Profile: Larry Roberts Age 82 Home Training Center
Public courts and PKL Lex in Lexington, Kentucky
Career Retired attorney of 55 years, 30 years elected prosecutor
Experience
National Title
Competitive Goal
4.5 years in pickleball, 35 years in tennis; inducted into University of Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame
U. S. National Champion, Singles( 80 + Division)
“ To be the best player in my age group in the U. S.”
Recovery Strategy“ Stretching is key.” Favorite Aspect
“ The ease of making friends compared to golf or tennis.”
Trish Zornio is a researcher, writer and pickleball enthusiast based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
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